1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Am I screwed with this leak

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Stormrunner23, Aug 31, 2023.

  1. Aug 31, 2023 at 1:06 PM
    #1
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
    I found some spotting underneath my 2000 manual. A week before, I was shifting into 4H and 4L while idling. My 4H hasn't engaged in the year that I have owned it. Crawled under today and there is a lot of oil. It isn't engine oil (at least not most of it). Transmission fluid? Gear oil? Am I screwed? Not sure where to begin. Thanks. (edited without DropBox)

    Collection in pan is what has dripped out in 24 hours.
    4Runner pan.jpg 4Runner1.png
    4Runner2.png
    4Runner cover.png
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2023
  2. Aug 31, 2023 at 1:36 PM
    #2
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,803
    Upload pictures, Dropbox is no good
     
  3. Aug 31, 2023 at 1:37 PM
    #3
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Kwik Fab

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15120
    Messages:
    881
    Gender:
    Male
    559
    Vehicle:
    Multiple
    Yeah, why not just easily post them here?

    Not working for me.

    Also, no leak causes for a "screwed" situation on these things.
     
    2016Pro likes this.
  4. Aug 31, 2023 at 2:14 PM
    #4
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
    I was trying to post video with DropBox. :)
     
  5. Aug 31, 2023 at 2:16 PM
    #5
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #7739
    Messages:
    1,803
    Screw Dropbox
     
  6. Aug 31, 2023 at 2:19 PM
    #6
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Kwik Fab

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15120
    Messages:
    881
    Gender:
    Male
    559
    Vehicle:
    Multiple
    Like it was mentioned, screw dropbox.

    Post pictures here, and video on youtube.
     
  7. Aug 31, 2023 at 2:21 PM
    #7
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15732
    Messages:
    987
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 3rz 5spd
    You sure it’s not engine oil? Any leak in the engine will coat that part of the vehicle.

    First off check your levels by removing the fill plugs and checking with your finger. This is for your diff, transfer case, and transmission. It is rarely so sever that your fluid level is significantly lower.

    If there is no suspect, clean everything up and watch. You can try adding UV dye into each oil one by one, wait a week or so before adding it to the next fluid.

    Not shifting into 4H for a year is a big no-no. You have to exercise them monthly if you want 4wd to work reliably, just shift in and out, if you do this on pavement do it when going straight ahead.

    I can see the photos on phone
     
  8. Aug 31, 2023 at 2:46 PM
    #8
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Kwik Fab

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15120
    Messages:
    881
    Gender:
    Male
    559
    Vehicle:
    Multiple
    Totally looks like oil.

    Pics are too close up to show the real location of the oil leak in relation to everything else; rear main seal?

    Also when's the last time you replaced the fluid in the T case?

    Transmission fluid would be reddish-brown.
     
  9. Aug 31, 2023 at 3:05 PM
    #9
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
    Appreciate the info. I was just Googling where the fill plug is for the transmission. It doesn't smell like engine oil. I have tried to tinker with getting the 4H to engage, but no success yet. 4L seems to work. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I thought maybe when I was shifting the 4H and 4L that something could have happened with a seal. I don't even know if that's a thing or if I made it up.
     
  10. Aug 31, 2023 at 3:40 PM
    #10
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15732
    Messages:
    987
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 3rz 5spd
    I recognize the location of the pictures as the front of the manual transmission housing looking from behind. Last photo the top of the front skid plate(?), which gets dirty from oil dripping on it.

    My transmission looks just like that and I know for a fact it’s the oil pan leaking (this is a 3rz). If you go back far enough you can probably find similar photos I posted when I was looking for my leak.

    I doubt it’s the transmission now. It wouldn’t coat the front skid plate since it is behind it.
     
    Stormrunner23[OP] likes this.
  11. Aug 31, 2023 at 4:42 PM
    #11
    ktmdoc

    ktmdoc New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2023
    Member:
    #33757
    Messages:
    9
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 4Runner, 1998 PreRunner, 1972 Suburban, 1970 Jeepster
    too many to list
    Could be the oil filter adapter housing that bolts onto the passenger side of the 3RZ under the exhaust manifold. There’s an O-ring in there and when they go they put out a lot of oil.
     
  12. Aug 31, 2023 at 5:29 PM
    #12
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
    Uh oh -I’ve owned the truck for about a year and haven’t.
     
  13. Aug 31, 2023 at 6:14 PM
    #13
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
  14. Aug 31, 2023 at 6:15 PM
    #14
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Kwik Fab

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15120
    Messages:
    881
    Gender:
    Male
    559
    Vehicle:
    Multiple
    Ah, got it.

    I check (and replace) all my fluids whenever I get a new-to-me vehicle.

    Gives me an idea of the sort of neglect a vehicle has had, not to mention its a box checked off.
     
  15. Aug 31, 2023 at 6:22 PM
    #15
    Stormrunner23

    Stormrunner23 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2022
    Member:
    #27177
    Messages:
    33
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 4x4 5spd
    Yea - I did timing belt, LBJs, and a bunch of other stuff, but not all fluids.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top